As I scurried about my busy day today, I did notice somewhere in the back of my mind that there seemed to be rather a large naval presence in the city, but never made the connection that it was the beginning of Fleet Week until I got home. For the uninitiated, Fleet Week is a naval tradition, upheld by the US Navy, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps and oftentimes the Canadian Navy too, where ships dock at major cities for a week and waves of uniformed men fill the streets. The first Fleet Week in New York City started in 1982 and now occurs annually.
Now that I’m aware that Fleet Week has hit, I must keep my eye out for the fabulous brass bands that put on impromptu performances in Times Square and shall keep my camera to hand just in case. Still in a state of Fleet Week ignorance this evening, I heard a series of pops, bangs and fizzles that were the unmistakable sound of a fireworks display – it was to herald the start of Fleet Week in New York. I shot straight up to the nearest rooftop where hundreds of local New Yorkers had gathered to watch the night sky light up, welcoming the sailors.
New York Fleet Week has its own Facebook page, where you can watch a video of tonight’s fireworks display.
Hello sailors.
Where's my backpack? 